Did Alexander have an Oedipus Complex?

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I've heard rumors that the reason why Alexander could not have a normal, loving relationship with a woman (and he could better relate to men) was because he had too close of a relationship with his mother, Olympia, which might have led to an Oedipus Complex. Is this substantiated or just another rumor?

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2004

Answers

Yes, rudolph, we do know that - as much as anything can be known about someone who lived so long ago. They were close political allies. Olympia fiercely supported her son's claim to the throne of Macedon.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2004

close relationship with his mother, "That much we know"

we do?

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2004


What? How should I know something like that?

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2004

"Opedipu" ... now THERE's a word worth remembering! Regardless, the latterday penchant for "reverse psychoanalysis" of historic personae, while entertaining, can only be speculative. Even if certain elements of a currently identified "complex" or syndrome ARE present, (1) that does NOT, in and of itself, constitute anything approximating conclusiveness, and (2) the elements of some complexes and syndromes have actually been altered, adjusted, augmented, or otherwise amended after amassing databases on existent study subjects. In this sense, one ought need to continuously adjust a theorized retrospective "diagnosis" of an historic persona, at which point the question is begged: to what purpose, precisely?!

... Marco.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2004


he had multiple wives and children & he never saw his mother after he left when we was like 20yrs old. She probably killed his father so that he could become king - would that make you have endearing feelings for your mother? its a messed up question...

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2004


I think it's possible that his relationship with Olympias could've had an opedipu complex-type effect on him. After all he did spend a lot of time with other guys...

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2004

Anyone's guess. Very true. But it is definitely an interesting rumor considering we know how he acted toward women, men and his mother... It is also true that the life that he led, (continuously at war, never staying in one place too long and always surrounded by other men), that he would feel more comfortable with men. But doesn't anyone think there is a slight possibility that the reason he felt more comfortable around men is because of this mother?

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

...because he had too close of a relationship with his mother...

Key word here: too. It was close. That much we know. Whether it was too close is anyone's guess. Final answer: just another rumor.

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004


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